Nature – Dawes Arboretumhttp://dawesarb.org
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 16:47:18 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1Winter Appeal, Looks to Tastehttp://dawesarb.org/blog/winter-appeal-looks-to-taste/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/winter-appeal-looks-to-taste/#respondWed, 27 Jan 2016 22:56:18 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=4089Michael Ecker, Director of Horticulture When it comes to plants possessing winter interest, some are mentioned over and over. Nothing wrong with these commonly repeated plants, but how about some that do not come up as often? Plants I tend to visit every winter, over and over. Take a look at the trunk of the […]

When it comes to plants possessing winter interest, some are mentioned over and over. Nothing wrong with these commonly repeated plants, but how about some that do not come up as often? Plants I tend to visit every winter, over and over.

Take a look at the trunk of the old specimen of dawn-redwood at the Daweswood House. It reminds me of “The Blob”, a monster of older science-fiction fame. Instead of covering cuts and stubs with surrounding new wood like many other trees, dawn-redwood’s trunk folds over, assimilating them. In this process it creates valleys and grottoes that have acquired the lovely name of “arm pitting”.

Many are familiar with the handsome peeling bark on trunks and branches of paperbark maple, but a species known as three-flower maple also has wonderful tannish peeling bark. However, not everyone sees peeling bark as a plus, which was pointed out to me once upon my extolling the virtues of such a plant. “It looks like it’s dead.” To each his own.

The kousa dogwood has gray, tan, and green bark typically described as mottled. Most think it’s attractive, as do I, although anything else having the descriptive term “mottled” associated with it is usually bad.

A favorite plant group that provides colorful fruit in winter are hollies. Birds and squirrels enjoy their fruit, and we enjoy the bright colors of red, orange, or yellow berries as eye-candy.

But what about alders with their dark brown, cone-like woody reproductive structures? You could collect them, spray paint them bright colors and put them into indoor or outdoor arrangements. I won’t – but you could!

On a clear, cold, blue-sky day, Sunspray hinoki false-cypress leaps out from the surrounding landscape. Its colorful winter foliage is a bright, happy yellow, not murky yellow as some other sick-looking plants have in winter.

Another “happy” looking evergreen shrub is Winter Gold mugo pine, which has banded green and yellow foliage. Gold Coin Scots pine is light green in summer but upon cold weather turns a nice yellow. The colder the temperature, the better the color.

Typically loved and known for their flowers, not winter interest, are some of the evergreen rhododendrons that have foliage colors from dark purple, almost black, to red and maroon.

Another alluring winter trait is the horizontal, crooked branching habit of twisted European beech. A dusting of snow highlights these contorted limbs, making the effect just that much nicer.

Not as much alluring as “alarming” are the green, robust(!) thorns on hardy-orange. Bent, curled, and congested dead branches from the last couple of winters have not been pruned out of our specimen – visit the Conifer Glen and take a look. You’ll understand why.

Not an ornamental trait of sugar maple in the winter, but still of winter interest are buckets hanging from spiles on trunks where tapping for maple syrup is in progress. Be sure to take advantage of Maple Syrup Madness, February 20 through March 6, 2016. Learn the history, see the process, and taste a sample of Dawes Arboretum’s real maple syrup.

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/winter-appeal-looks-to-taste/feed/0Blending Current Landscapes with Future Conservation Collectionshttp://dawesarb.org/blog/blending-current-landscapes-with-future-conservation-collections/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/blending-current-landscapes-with-future-conservation-collections/#respondTue, 05 Jan 2016 15:18:02 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=4072Shana Byrd, Director of Land Conservation As the seasons change, so does the scenery across the landscape. This is especially true of The Arboretum, which is continually enhanced and cared for to conserve nature and add enjoyment for our visitors. Over the years the Arboretum has grown and now encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of plant […]

As the seasons change, so does the scenery across the landscape. This is especially true of The Arboretum, which is continually enhanced and cared for to conserve nature and add enjoyment for our visitors. Over the years the Arboretum has grown and now encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of plant collections, gardens, forests, meadows and wetlands. This living museum highlights trees and the habitats they are a part of. Taken together, these views are meant to inspire an appreciation for the beauty and value of our natural world. Improving landscapes often means removing undesirable weeds that inevitably take root and replacing them with more valuable native planting and specimen collections showcasing the beauty and function of plants. This is particularly important as the Arboretum expands. Last year, an adjacent working landscape formerly known as the Swartz farm, became a part of the Arboretum. As part of this process, an enhancement plan was initiated, to incorporate these lands into the larger vision of plant collections and species conservation.

On a sunny afternoon this past December, staff began the process of removing the old fence line that formerly separated the properties. Located on the southern loop of the auto tour, this field hugs the noble row of Kentucky coffee trees. What was once a visual barrier, harboring woody weeds, is now becoming an open view of the farm field and rolling hills in the backdrop. This parcel is now a feature of various approaches to more sustainable agriculture. The field was planted with a conservation cover of prairie along its border, serving as a nectar resource for insects pollinating the growing crops and helping to hold soil in place. The waterways have been seeded with a diverse mix of native flowers and grasses with special adaptations to soak up excess rainwater. Farmers who partner with the Arboretum have committed to using soil and water conservation techniques such as these, in a joint effort to take care of our natural resources. Including the new property and removing the old fence barriers is symbolic of the Arboretum’s goal to bring people closer to the land and our dependence on the living landscape. Visitors driving along the auto tour can now expect to see newly opened vistas and in the future, expanded collections of plants, walking paths and even improved road access to the new property.

Along with the New Year, come new possibilities and visions for the potential our natural landscapes hold. As we continue to be stewards of this land, we are inspired by the passion of our supporters to help us achieve our mission of growing the appreciation for trees, our history and the world around us. During your next visit…who knows what new and exciting enhancements you’ll see next…!

Before photo of old fence line and overgrown brush (as seen from the Auto Tour).

After photo with no fence and brush being removed (as seen from the Auto Tour).

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/blending-current-landscapes-with-future-conservation-collections/feed/0Fall: A Time for Family Funhttp://dawesarb.org/blog/fall-a-time-for-family-fun/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/fall-a-time-for-family-fun/#respondThu, 01 Oct 2015 18:54:37 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3918Fall: A Time for Family Fun by Sarah Mill, Education Director The fall season is my favorite, for a number of reasons. In my family, fall is a time to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, honor traditions, rekindle friendships and take some pause from the daily routine to enjoy the great outdoors. For me, there is […]

The fall season is my favorite, for a number of reasons. In my family, fall is a time to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, honor traditions, rekindle friendships and take some pause from the daily routine to enjoy the great outdoors. For me, there is a feeling of rejuvenation that happens when the days become a little cooler, the air a little crisper and the days a little shorter. The mums and pumpkins show up at the grocery stores and farm markets, the soy bean fields are turning a golden yellow and the field corn stalks are dried and brown. And…of course…we welcome back “pumpkin-spiced everything.”

As the hills burst with colors of crimson and gold, visitors flock to The Dawes Arboretum. Our phones ring with questions of “when is peak fall color?” (The truth is, we aren’t ever quite sure – it varies from year to year!)

This year, we welcome back families for a new spin on an old fall celebration. For years, Dawes celebrated fall with the Birdseed Festival, where backyard birders could order and pick-up a special seed mix. In 2015, with generous funding from The Energy Cooperative, we will celebrate with the “Fall Festival.” Not unlike our annual Arbor Day Festival, the Fall Festival invites families and friends for a fun-filled day of activities including tours, arts and crafts and learning opportunities.

Highlights include:
Live animal presentations from our friends at Ohio Nature Education at 1 & 3pm
Storytelling by Lotts of Tales at 12 & 2pm
Pumpkin carving demonstrations by Rock on Ice
Fall color wagon tours on our open-air carryall
Face Painting by Lakewood Lancer Marching Band
Pumpkin Decorating (donations accepted, while supplies last)
Children’s homesteading activities from Bring the Farm to You
Candle making with the Licking County Historical Society
Canning Demonstrations by Glass Rooster Cannery
Photo opportunities with our Fall Festival photo board
Apple tasting and sales from Ochs Fruit Farm
A special Buckeye craft, exclusive for Dawes members
Tips on how to put your garden to bed for the winter
Guided hikes to Indian mound at Arboretum East
Yummy eats for purchase from Moe’s Barbeque and Pizza Cottage
Guided Wagon Tours on Fall Color at 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm

I hope to see you and your family at the festival. Perhaps it will be the start of a new autumn tradition!

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/fall-a-time-for-family-fun/feed/0Arbor Day – A Celebration of Trees!http://dawesarb.org/blog/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees/#respondWed, 15 Apr 2015 17:26:25 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3674Arbor Day – A Celebration of Trees Sarah Mill Director of Education I was the odd kid at an urban elementary school in Columbus who forewent relay races and tetherball to collect honey locust seed pods and dig-up rocks in the corners of the school yard. So, it came as no surprise when, on Arbor […]

Sarah Mill

Director of Education

I was the odd kid at an urban elementary school in Columbus who forewent relay races and tetherball to collect honey locust seed pods and dig-up rocks in the corners of the school yard. So, it came as no surprise when, on Arbor Day, I could be found “rescuing” white pine seedlings, neglected by other students into the depths of trash cans. The trees, which I imagine had been donated, were unlikely to find loving homes on many of the city lots where most of my fellow students lived. Fortunately, I had a rural playground—a piece of land that my family had purchased in southeastern Ohio. My dad, who has a particular fondness for trees, planted the seedlings in drywall buckets and nurtured them in the backyard, later transplanting them onto the property. Many died, but a dozen-or-so still stand strong along the property’s fence line, greeting visitors as they arrive.

At The Arboretum, Arbor Day is kind of a big deal. The holiday, the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton and first celebrated in 1892, was set aside for the purpose of planting trees and increasing awareness about their importance. Trees are central to all that we do at The Dawes Arboretum, and our annual Arbor Day Festival is no exception.

The Arbor Day Festival takes place annually on the Saturday after the last Friday in April (sometimes it lands in May!) April. All are invited to join Arboretum staff, volunteers and local community partners on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10am – 4pm, where opportunities abound to explore the importance of trees. Tree climbing, wood carving demonstrations, crafts, displays, an exploration of your family tree and a plant sale are just some of the activities in which you’ll be able to participate. Our friends from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will provide “animal encounters” with critters who love trees in the All Seasons Garden at noon and 1pm. The first 250 families will receive a free tree to plant, in honor of the holiday—just remember, I’ll be on the look-out to be sure you don’t drop it in the waste bin!

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees/feed/0Think Bonsaihttp://dawesarb.org/blog/think-bonsai/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/think-bonsai/#respondMon, 09 Mar 2015 18:50:16 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3612| by Keith Stevens, Senior Horticulturalist | Spring is almost here! As I write this, the snow is still on the ground and I’m thinking of all of the bonsai trees that are dormant waiting to start blooming in a few weeks. Now is a good time to start preparing your bonsai trees for the […]

Spring is almost here! As I write this, the snow is still on the ground and I’m thinking of all of the bonsai trees that are dormant waiting to start blooming in a few weeks. Now is a good time to start preparing your bonsai trees for the spring and depending on the types of trees you have, it is a good time to prune. Deciduous trees, ones that lose their leaves in the winter, can be pruned while dormant. With no leaves is much easier to see the branch structure and where to make cuts. Evergreens can be wired at this time too. Check your trees for any wires that may be girdling branches. Either remove them or replace them.

Start deciding which trees will be repotted in spring. Make a list of available pots, and which trees will work with them. Having a battle plan is very useful once the chaos of spring arrives. You should start ordering repotting supplies such as new pots, soil, wire, drainage mesh, etc. It’s best to repot closer to the end of March.

During the winter months water only when the soil is dry. Try not keep them too wet. Soil will stay moist for several weeks before needing water. I like to still check often just to be sure. Keep in mind that roots do better in moist frozen soil than dry frozen soil. Protect your trees from direct winter sun and wind as it will cause freeze dry damage.

Trees start into growth in spring when temperatures rise above 50°F for a period of days. They are not prompted by increases in light levels. It is important that as trees start to grow they are placed back outside where they have access to light. However, late frosts in spring can devastate tender new growth and on nights where frosts are forecast, temporary protection must be afforded. I’ve found early spring you will find moving trees from inside to outside for a few days. In our area about mid to late April you can safely move them outside. Any tropical plants should stay inside until the temperatures are well above 50°F, if you wish to take them outside.

This year the bonsai show will held on May 30. This is in conjunction with the reopening of our Japanese Garden. The bonsai show hours are 10am to 8pm. Hope to see you there.

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/think-bonsai/feed/0Boom Year for Maple Syrup?http://dawesarb.org/blog/boom-year-maple-syrup/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/boom-year-maple-syrup/#respondMon, 09 Feb 2015 16:44:48 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3553By Beth Spieles, Interpretive Educator The forecasts may be lining up to predict a bountiful harvest of maple syrup this year. Ecologists at Tufts University have reported evidence of a correlation between seed production and syrup production. Since 2014 was considered a low mast year for maples (meaning fewer of those helicopter seeds were produced), […]

The forecasts may be lining up to predict a bountiful harvest of maple syrup this year. Ecologists at Tufts University have reported evidence of a correlation between seed production and syrup production. Since 2014 was considered a low mast year for maples (meaning fewer of those helicopter seeds were produced), the trees may have used less energy for seed production, resulting in more energy stored as sugar.

Of course, the effect of weather on sap flow cannot be denied. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, syrup production was down 10% in 2014 as compared to 2013. In Ohio, the season of sap flow averaged just 29 days in 2014 compared to the 37-day season in 2013. Sap won’t flow when the temperature drops below freezing. And we all remember how often that happened during the winter of 2014!

CNN has put maple syrup on its top ten food trends of 2015, commenting that concerns with the stability of honeybee populations are sending chefs in search of other natural sugar alternatives.

Come on out during The Arboretum’s maple syruping season to see if the predictions ring true and to follow the trend. Our season begins on Saturday, February 21st and runs through Sunday, March 8th. The log cabin is open Mondays through Saturdays 10am – 4pm and Sundays, 1 – 4pm. Public walking tours will depart from the Main Shelter on Saturdays during the season at 2pm.

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/boom-year-maple-syrup/feed/0Have you considered volunteering at The Arboretum?http://dawesarb.org/blog/considered-volunteering-arboretum/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/considered-volunteering-arboretum/#respondMon, 26 Jan 2015 19:21:22 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3526Last year we had nearly 200 people volunteer over 5000 hours! Dawes could not be the beautiful, amazing place it is without the support of our valued volunteers. If the winter cold has you moving in slow motion, know that we are busy preparing for the upcoming spring. One of the busiest times at The […]

]]>Last year we had nearly 200 people volunteer over 5000 hours! Dawes could not be the beautiful, amazing place it is without the support of our valued volunteers.

If the winter cold has you moving in slow motion, know that we are busy preparing for the upcoming spring. One of the busiest times at The Arboretum is just around the corner — Maple Syrup Madness. If you need a reason to get moving this winter, join us on Feb 19th from 9am — noon for a Maple Syrup Training. Then, sign-up for one or more evaporator shifts between February 21 through March 8.

As a maple syrup volunteer, you can choose to stay cozy warm in the Log Cabin while boiling down maple sap and talking with visitors, or lead a public tour along the new trail. As we move into spring, think ahead to the warmer, busier months and fun events like the Arbor Day Festival (April 25), Plant Sale and Garden Fair (May 16), Japanese Garden Opening (May 30) and Food Truck Rodeo (August 21). Or, do you have an interest in history? Join us after maple syrup training to learn about becoming a docent in the Daweswood House Museum and History Center .

As a volunteer, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a Sugar Maple Membership after 40 hours of service, can attend select classes and social events at The Arboretum at no cost and learn alongside knowledgeable staff. And don’t forget — you can use your volunteer hours at The Arboretum towards your Master Gardener or Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist requirements.

Come be an active part of what makes The Dawes Arboretum one of the greatest places in Ohio! If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 740.323.2355 or education@dawesarb.org.

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/considered-volunteering-arboretum/feed/0Looking Back with the Executive Directorhttp://dawesarb.org/blog/end-year-message-director/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/end-year-message-director/#respondMon, 22 Dec 2014 16:14:51 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3447| By Luke Messinger, Executive Director | Founded in 1929, the Dawes family helped initiate some of Ohio’s early forest research on a small farm east of Columbus and just north of the National Road. Since those early tree plantings, The Dawes Arboretum has grown to become one of North America’s leading arboreta. With our […]

Founded in 1929, the Dawes family helped initiate some of Ohio’s early forest research on a small farm east of Columbus and just north of the National Road. Since those early tree plantings, The Dawes Arboretum has grown to become one of North America’s leading arboreta.

With our mission to increase the love and knowledge of trees, history and the natural world, our dedication to plant and habitat conservation as well as history continues to grow through our educational programs, research and the management of diverse plant collections, gardens and habitats for the public to enjoy.

During 2014 we celebrated our 85th anniversary and furthered the accomplishment of our mission with major projects that included: beginning Phase I of the Japanese Garden restoration; renovation of Bertie’s Garden near the Daweswood House; renovation of the Zand Education Center Classroom; opening of the History Center adjacent to the Daweswood House; and completion of a new .55-mile accessible paved trail through the Woodlands.

Here are some of the highlights of these projects.

Japanese Garden Renovation
Funded in part by the 2014 Annual Appeal, we began a multi-year renovation of the Japanese Garden, one of our visitors’ most treasured sites on grounds. The first phase of renovation included rebuilding the resting house, stone bridge and resetting much of the stonework that lines the pond. The next phase includes bridge work and the addition of some new plantings. We will also create an upland forest and stream system (just east of the garden) that will help control the flow of water into the pond.

In August (2014), The Arboretum was honored to host Dr. Makoto Nakamura, landscape architect and designer of the Japanese Garden in 1963. During his visit, Dr. Nakamura consulted with staff using the original plans and notes as we reviewed nearly all components of the garden. Perhaps most informative were the revelations of his thoughts and intentions for the garden, which continues to hold a special place in his heart. Re-opening of the renovated garden takes place late May 2015.

Bertie’s Garden
The gardens to the northwest of the Daweswood House were lined with beautiful flower bed installments this summer, as Bertie’s Garden was redesigned. The garden was created as a tribute to co-founder Bertie Dawes and her passion for gardening. The plant choices were based on favorites as noted in Bertie’s personal journals. The garden was designed by Laura Burchfield, author and expert in period garden styles.

History Center Opening
Exhibits were unveiled in April, as the History Center opened to the public for the first time. Displays featured the history of The Arboretum, our founders, The Arboretum’s Tree Dedications and the Pure Oil Company. The Center features ongoing displays and exhibits for visitors to learn more about the history of The Arboretum.

Accessible Paved Trail Our recently completed accessible trail leads visitors from our main parking lot, through the Woodlands, to the top of the flowering shrub collection in the South End of The Arboretum. The trail is paved, bicycle-friendly and built to provide better access throughout our grounds. Interpretive signage along the trail gives insight into The Arboretum’s mission and highlights some of the plants and wildlife you can find along the .55-mile trail.

Zand Education Center Classroom

Originally a dairy barn, the Zand Education Center has been an important feature of our education programs for many years. The site housed many fifth grade classes from Lakewood Local Schools, serves as a starting point for Science Days and functioned as a classroom for some of our adult education programs. The adjacent courtyard was transformed into our Learning Garden in 2013 and, as a continuation of that work, we improved the classroom by removing the dark wood paneling, added new lighting, removed the carpeting to increase accessibility and adding all new furnishings that can be easily rearranged to accommodate different uses of the space.

_______________________

With your help, much was accomplished in the 2013-2014 fiscal year. We look forward to continuing this work into 2015 as we finish the Japanese Garden restoration, initiate a reforestation project near the Red Barn Area, expand the Black Duck Wetland, construct a new trail near the Daweswood House, initiate some Auto Tour changes and re-open the Arboretum East trails.

As a living museum, The Arboretum’s 1,800+ acres of gardens, plant collections, forests, meadows and wetlands provide inspiration, education, research and beauty. Your support helps us restore and maintain critical habitats and conserve plants essential to the Ohio River Valley.

We thank all of our supporters for their help in making all of this happen. In 2015, we hope to continue to earn your support of our mission to increase the love and knowledge of trees, history and the natural world.

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/end-year-message-director/feed/0Name that Plant: ID Instructions Revealedhttp://dawesarb.org/blog/name-plant-id-instructions-revealed/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/name-plant-id-instructions-revealed/#respondTue, 23 Sep 2014 19:44:46 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=3196| By David Brandenburg, Ph.D | Read about some common scenarios and questions we hear about plant and wildflower identification: You’re hiking along a trail and spot a wildflower that you do not recognize, or you are cleaning up a home garden bed and encounter an unfamiliar weed—how can you find out what these plants […]

Read about some common scenarios and questions we hear about plant and wildflower identification:

You’re hiking along a trail and spot a wildflower that you do not recognize, or you are cleaning up a home garden bed and encounter an unfamiliar weed—how can you find out what these plants are without picking them?

Many of us have cell phones that can double as cameras, and—if taken properly—photographs can be used in lieu of actual specimens for identification (ID) purposes. I stress “properly” because care must be taken to ensure that the digital images contain enough information to identify the plant.

Since you are using photographs to take the place of a physical plant specimen, it is important to take pictures of ALL plant parts that might be needed for the ID process. I recommend the following format:

(1) an overall view of the plant to show its height and habit (e.g., upright, weeping, sprawling).

(2) a shot of just the flower cluster.

(3) several close-ups of a solitary bloom (the top/front, the side and the bottom).

(4) images of the leaves, including how they are attached to the stem. If the undersurface of the leaf differs from the upper surface in color or in degree of hairiness, it’s important to document this.

Figure 1

I’ll share an example with you. In Figure 1 we see a cluster of yellow blooms. The characteristic combination of petal-like rays arranged in circular fashion around a central disc is a tell-tale sign that this plant is a member of the composite family, also called the daisy family or the sunflower family. Included in this large group are a great many yellow flowering plants that resemble the one in Figure 1, but the location (central Ohio), time of year (late spring) and habitat (woods) narrow down the possibilities. See Figure 1

An educated guess is the genus Packera, which is comprised of over four dozen species in North America, but far fewer in Ohio. The three species most common in the central part of the state are butterweed (P. glabella), golden ragwort (P. aurea) and round-leaf ragwort (P. obovata). The bright yellow flower heads of these three common species are quite similar, and vegetative features are needed to make a proper determination.

Figure 2

This is where photographs of the leaves make all the difference. The leaves of butterweed (Figure 2) are more or less similar in shape and only gradually reduced in size from the bottom of the plant all the way up to the top. See Figure 2

In the other two Packera species, the upper stem leaves are much smaller than those on the lower stem; furthermore, the round leaves at the base of the plant are strikingly different from the fernlike stem leaves (Figure 3). See Figure 3

Figure 3

The basal blades of golden ragwort are broadly notched at the point where they attach to the leafstalk (Figure 4). See Figure 4

In contrast, the base of the basal blades of round-leaf ragwort is notnotched.See Figure 5

Whether you are going to look up an unknown plant on your own in a field guide or you are going to e-mail pictures to a botanist, recording lots of visual information with your camera will make the identification process easier and more reliable. On a final note: take high-resolution digital images!

]]>http://dawesarb.org/blog/name-plant-id-instructions-revealed/feed/0YOUR ARBORETUM SINCE 1929http://dawesarb.org/blog/85years/
http://dawesarb.org/blog/85years/#respondFri, 30 May 2014 17:31:54 +0000http://dawesarb.org/?p=2928Your support of The Dawes Arboretum is greatly appreciated! Participate in our survey to let us know how we can improve. Founded in 1929 the Dawes family helped initiate some of Ohio’s early research in reforestation on a small farm located just north of the National Road. Since then, The Dawes Arboretum has grown to become one […]

Founded in 1929 the Dawes family helped initiate some of Ohio’s early research in reforestation on a small farm located just north of the National Road. Since then, The Dawes Arboretum has grown to become one of North America’s leading arboreta—and it is in YOUR backyard!

Today, our mission of “Increasing the love and knowledge of trees, history and the natural world” remains strong with more than 20,000 education participants and over 260,000 visitors annually. Our dedication to conservation continues through educational programs, research and maintaining diverse plant collections and habitats for the public to enjoy.

As a living museum we encompass nearly 2,000 acres of gardens, plant collections, forests, meadows and wetlands provide inspiration, education and beauty for local and national visitors alike. Your support helps us to restore and maintain critical habitats essential for Ohio River Valley plant species and wildlife.

Help us preserve and protect our natural world. Participate in our mission today with a visit to our grounds where you can enjoy our beautiful landscapes, take a class, attend an event or volunteer your time.

The Dawes Arboretum, more than a walk in the park.

—Luke Messinger, Executive Director

GET INVOLVED

As the largest arboretum in the country with no entry fee, we need your commitment to grow. During The Arboretum’s 85th year, plan a visit, make a donationor give your time and volunteer.

The Dawes Arboretum is making a positive impact in our community through horticulture, education and tourism. Some exciting examples include:

Evaluating 16,000 trees & shrubs for their use in Ohio forests and landscapes

Educating more than 20,000 people annually on science and the environment

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership in The Dawes Arboretum is the best way to keep informed of Arboretum activities and at the same time support our mission of increasing the love and knowledge of trees, history and the natural world. Whether you are looking to receive regular updates on events, show your support for this wonderful community resource, or benefit from discounts on programming—Arboretum membership is for you!

VOLUNTEER

Volunteering at The Dawes Arboretum allows you to spend time in a beautiful setting, work alongside professionals, learn about the natural world around you, and socialize with people who share similar interests. There are a tremendous number of opportunities to get involved. For more specific information about opportunities, please contact Suki Christy, at 740.323.2355 or srchristy@dawesarb.org.